Neurosurgery Outpatient Visit 2

Revisit to the clinic to get the results of the CT Angiogram and set up a surgery date

The CT Angiogram was OK and surgery date set for 25th January

Neurosurgery Outpatient Visit

Meeting with my consultant to discuss the outcome of the MRI and their proposed treatment

The Chordoma Tumour at the level of C1 just beneath the occipital condyle

They want to do more surgery. Its a bit more difficult this time as they are going in the same area
I have to have a CT angiogram as they need to check the blood flow to my brain as they may need to occlude (cut) one of the veritable artery during the surgery and they need know I have good blood flow as I could suffer a stroke if there is a lack of blood flow

They may have to do surgery around the space of the spinal chord which may need to be patched up I then could get pseudomeningocele


C1 is the top bone of the spine

Oncology Clinic - Results day - Not Good

Since my last MRI there has been a definite increase in size of the "blob" that has been seen on previous MRI scans

That means that this "blob" is Chordoma and not water as they (and I) had hoped

They have booked me in a week from now to see the surgeon in the skull base clinic

There proposal is resection of the cancer if possible and if not fully possible to move is as far away from the brain stem as possible

This will give an apparent clinical advantage when they carry out more radiation

This radiation is likely to be normal radiation rather than proton as
1. They don't believe I will get funding
2. If I did get funding the proton centre may not want to do further radiation

We will cross that bridge after successful surgery

MRI day

Another MRI

Microscope cells

I had a MRI a week or so ago
I have had a no change report from my oncologist on Friday which is good news
They still cannot tell wether the lump they see is Chordoma or water but as its not changed they feel that it likely to be water

I also had a chest/lung CT scan as a precaution and that was ok too

They still believe I will have microscope cells of Chordoma in the area where the new growth occurred back in October 2015
They are are planning for the future if/when there is change
There is talk of more radiation but what/when/where is still unknown

Hopefully there will be no change for years

I feel well and healthy so can't complain

Blimey another MRI !!

Must be well over 20 now

A weather history of when I was in the USA

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KJAX/2013/7/5/CustomHistory.html?dayend=18&monthend=9&yearend=2013&req_city=&req_state=&req_statename=&reqdb.zip=&reqdb.magic=&reqdb.wmo=&MR=1

CT Chest Scan

One of the places this cancer is known to spread or metastasize to is the lung

So they have arrange a chest CT to make sure there is no issues there

Yet Another MRI

I have had loads of these - I wonder what they cost ?

MRI Results. Not so good

I had the results of my latest MRI which has revealed a potential reoccurrence in the same area of the last operation

The doctor went through all the possible treatment plans and courses of action

At the moment they are on a wait and see approach as the "blob" as I have christened it is bigger than it should be so soon after my op so they are not sure what is is

They are to schedule another MRI in 2 months to see if there is any change

Chordoma does not normally grow that quick

MRI time again

They had trouble putting the needle in for the contrast part of the scan
2 attempts on one arm and 1 attempt on the other before going for a vein in the hand
I feel like a pin cussion

Finally MRI result

2 months after my MRI I got to see the surgeon and results
MRI OK
I had a look at the scan you can see the path through the side of my head to the area of the Chordoma removal

Back to work

I went back to work last week. So now into my second week
I have been mostly working from home and have been given a shorter day than normal so I have just about been keeping up to date. Due to the type of work that I have been getting I am in my office for most of the day
Still feel tired - probably as I am now sitting at a desk all day
I stop frequently to get up and move about
My right arm and wrist hurt due the the mouse and keyboard use - not used to it
Look forward to getting jobs which take me out of the house
This will probably be better for me a mix of outside work and desk work
At least I am back to work

MRI

Had an MRI my first since the latest operation
They had trouble as always finding a vein for the contrast scan injection
They did not fit a cannula this time.  The last few MRIs they did as it was a new protocol
I think they were running behind so the just injected the dye whilst in the MRI unit